TOBACCO CULTURE. 25 



except in Florida, where early spring plowing, usually in 

 February is the rule, followed by a later plowing, immedi- 

 ately preceding the putting out of the plants. The coarser 

 kinds of fertilizer are distributed in the furrow at the time 

 of the first plowing, and covered by the next trip of the 

 turn-plow. 



In Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin, the turning un- 

 der of " stubble " or sod immediately after harvest or hay- 

 ing is a favorite practice. In the south, manure is frequently 

 applied broadcast, previous to this plowing. A second plow- 

 ing is the rule just before final freezing of the ground occurs 

 and tobacco stalks, "chopped," are turned under at this 

 time. The best growers plow in the spring some two weeks 

 before the planting. 



Growers of Bright Leaf favor deep breaking in the fall, 

 usually with two-horse plows. This is followed in February 

 by shallow furrowing with the "scooter," at which time the 

 manure, litter and any coarse fertilizer to be used, is covered 

 in the furrow. In the region where heavy shipping tobacco 

 is raised, successful planters believe that most of the culti- 

 vation should be done before the plants are set out. Deep 

 fall breaking with heavy turn-plows, is general. This break- 

 ing should be so early that vegetation turned under may be 

 still green, for then its decomposition is hastened, and its 

 fermenting action in the soil is increased. In early spring 

 the manure is applied broadcast and turned under by a sec- 

 ond but more shallow plowing. 



Burley Tobacco is mostly grown on land broken in the 



